Hyundai Reveals Three Genesis Coupe Projects at SEMA 2008

Proving its rear-wheel drive, performance car credentials
by Alex Ricciuti
November 5, 2008 12:00 AM
Filed Under: Asian, Hyundai, SEMA, Tuners

Hyundai wants to add a little tuner zing to it's image and so it has offered up several models for the SEMA show. Those models include these three Genesis coupes, along with three other Genesis sedans (more on those in a separate story), which showcase the Korean brand's rear-wheel drive architecture.

First, there's the Rhys Millen Racing Genesis Coupe, with a 2.0 liter 4-banger mated to a turbocharger and a HKS sequential transmission to manage the extra fly-wheel spin. Hyundai calls this a "fully functioning race car" that is track-ready, with a turbocharger courtesy of Turbonetics and all body panels replaced by carbon-fiber.

Second comes the Street Concepts take on the Genesis Coupe, with long-time Hyundai tuner Shawn Williams cloaking this 3.8 liter V6 with his Stealth Fighter conceptual design, which includes camouflage (black) paint.

Lastly (of the coupes, that is) there's the HKS. Another 2.0 liter turbo, this time with HKS's own turbocharger and its Hipermax III "fully adjustable" suspension.

Hyundai may be an Asian brand but it's obvious it's their US division putting out these press releases because they offer no details on engine or track performance on these race cars. Those, one has to assume, will be forthcoming. Or maybe these cars aren't real and just for show.

Source: Hyundai
Press Release (Click to expand)

The seven custom Genesis Coupes and sedans to be unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show demonstrate Hyundai's commitment to its rear-wheel drive performance platform. From the Genesis sedan's more luxurious take on performance, to the more overtly athletic nature of the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai has a wide range of performance and capability covered with the Genesis platform. The seven Genesis SEMA cars highlight this wide-ranging capability, from Rhys Millen's 2.0T Genesis Coupe, inspired by the Japanese Super GT series, to the Euro-inspired RKSport Genesis sedan, with its Hyundai-engineered 460-horsepower supercharged 4.6-liter V8 engine concept. Hyundai's custom concepts will be displayed at its SEMA booth (#24387) at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 4-7, 2008.

"The Genesis rear-wheel-drive architecture matched with Hyundai's state-of-the-art engine technology offers a scalable and attractive package for the aftermarket," said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Genesis is short-hand for rear-wheel-drive performance at Hyundai, and SEMA is the prefect place to highlight these vehicles."

RHYS MILLEN RACING GENESIS COUPE

Rhys Millen Racing (RMR), one of the industry's most respected tuners, designed the "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe 2.0T with the visual impact to turn heads at the 2008 SEMA Show and the performance necessary to put the driver in the winner's circle the following weekend.

The RMR Genesis Coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger, wastegate and blow-off valve to provide extra horsepower and torque. It is equipped with a heavy-duty HKS sequential transmission and a KW coilover suspension to put that additional power to the ground.

The RMR Genesis Coupe sports a silver and blue paint scheme and a RMR dry carbon fiber wide body kit, functional hood scoop and an APR GTC-500 carbon-fiber wing. RMR added SSR Type-F competition lightweight wheels and Bridgestone Potenza racing slicks, which partner well with the race-ready factory Brembo brake system. Inside, the vehicle interior has transformed into a racing cockpit with a Sparco steering wheel and seat, eight-point roll cage and a RMR carbon fiber dash.

STREET CONCEPTS GENESIS COUPE

A long-time Hyundai tuner, Shawn Williams from Street Concepts delivered a modified Genesis Coupe outfitted with a black camouflage, Stealth Fighter-inspired paint design that compliments its aggressive styling. The exterior also features a custom grille design, tinted taillights and an APR rear wing.

The Street Concepts Genesis Coupe showcases Volk 19-inch racing wheels, Pirelli performance tires, a modified suspension and Brembo brakes. A Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and K&N cold air intake system enhance the performance of the 3.8-liter V6 engine. Interior modifications include a custom Infinity audio system, Recaro Sportster Topline seats and black suede accents designed to fit the Stealth Fighter theme.

HKS GENESIS COUPE

HKS, known for its premium performance parts, designed a customized Genesis Coupe that maximizes the driving performance capabilities for the serious driving enthusiast. The HKS Genesis Coupe includes a HKS GT2835R Turbo upgrade to maximize horsepower and torque, HKS stainless tubular manifold, HKS intercooler upgrade, HKS super sequential blow-off valve, HKS performance stainless cat-back exhaust, HKS carbon fiber air box and intake duct, HKS Super Fire spark plugs and HKS Hipermax III fully-adjustable suspension.

The HKS Genesis Coupe also showcases functional ground effects designed by Ken Style, HKS Time-Attack cars' aerodynamic partner. The interior emphasizes driver comfort and control, with HKS electronics including CAMP2 that monitors up to 24 data signals from the Genesis OBD2 and programmable calculations for fuel costs, average fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in real time.

Tuner

Vehicle

Engine

Features

Rhys Millen Racing

2010 Genesis Coupe

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder

Full-functioning race car is track- ready with a Turbonetics turbocharger, custom roll cage and all body panels replaced by carbon fiber  

Street Concepts

2010 Genesis Coupe

3.8-liter V6

Stealth Fighter-inspired design includes black camouflage paint 

HKS

2010 Genesis Coupe

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder

Modeled after HKS Time Attack racecars, the vehicle features HKS GT2835R Turbo, HKS Hipermax III fully adjustable suspension and other HKS performance parts

RKSport

Sedan

Supercharged 4.6-liter V8 (concept)

460-horsepower (est.), 27-mpg supercharged Tau 4.6-liter V8 engineered by RKSport and Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI)

RIDES Magazine

2009 Genesis Sedan

4.6-liter Tau V8

Technology center on wheels features Wi-Fi, 2 Mac Mini computers, MacBook Air laptop, iPod Touch and iPhone 3G

DUB Magazine

2009 Genesis Sedan (2)

4.6-liter Tau V8

DUB Edition makeovers accentuate the original styling and lines of the Genesis design, adding signature 22-inch TIS wheels

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Comments

Oh my god.. Those warning labels on the black one have to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen! "Big dawg"? I laughed. Hard.

What the heck is the SEMA about? Who can make the most stupid, ridiculous, ugly gas guzzler in the world? That's all that I've seen in these SEMA concept cars. Where are all the green and sensible concept cars that filled the Paris show less than a month ago?

by Kepe | November 5, 2008 12:24 AM
i think its one of those things that has got lost in translation; it would have probably said "fried dog" if it was translated correctly.

by shaahinMT | November 5, 2008 12:31 AM
Oh c'mon Hyundai, a street performance car, that's funny, what next? a chinaese performance car? :D

by Motor_Yakuza | November 5, 2008 12:53 AM
damn... 850 pound reduction in weight??? how much is that in kg??? that's a LOT lol

by carcrazy1234 | November 5, 2008 1:49 AM
a much needed weight reduction too... this cars heavy to begin with

by carcrazy1234 | November 5, 2008 1:49 AM
It's 385kg. Try googling "850 pounds to kg". It works with all kinds of other things, too. Currencies, calculations and so on.

by Kepe | November 5, 2008 3:37 AM
BOOO!!!! What happened to the V8???

by ADJ-117 | November 5, 2008 9:02 AM
Read the press release and find out.

by Kepe | November 5, 2008 3:35 PM
The stock 2.0 turbo will sell quite a bit. It's ideal for drifting and tuning. Hyundai is bringing the ideal combination that America hasn't seen in awhile for a decent price.

by shadowphantom | December 18, 2008 7:20 PM

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